The Best of Vietnam & Thailand

Day 1: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam (Flight not included).

Day 2:  Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam! Arrival Hanoi; meeting, assistance and private transfer to your hotel for overnight. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a blend of long established traditions and modern imprints of Western influence. Begin the day visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (subject to opening schedule) where his embalmed body is kept. Then walk through the park to see the former French Governor’s Palace and the wooden cabin commonly known as Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House in which he lived from 1958 till his final days in 1969. Continue to visit the 11th century lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, the 11th century Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and once the Mandarin Training School in the olden days, and the Old Quarter, the heart and soul of the locals. Head on to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit the historical Ngoc Son Temple, built on a lush green islet. Return to the hotel. (B)

Optional: Evening enjoy a Water Puppet Show – a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi.

Day 4:  Hanoi / Halong Bay Cruise

Today depart Hanoi to Halong Bay. Welcome on board the deluxe Halong Bay Cruise for the night with the stunning view of this wonder. While enjoying lunch on board, cruise sets sail through a landscape of thousands of islets, limestone cliffs and caves. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and overnight on board the cruise. (B.L.D)

Day 5:  Halong Bay Cruise / Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Wake up and enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay. Start your day by joining a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Breakfast will be served on board while cruising back to the port, passing the majestic peaks. Disembark and depart for Hanoi Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where the ever-vibrant buzzing city with sleek skyscrapers looming over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in the city center of Saigon. (B)

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City

Morning depart by private car to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, a 125-mile-long underground network; this tunnel system stretched to the Cambodian border. Return to the city and visit the classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House (view from outside only), the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Continue to the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Free time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market before returning to the hotel. (B)

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City

Morning drive to the Mekong Delta (2 hours drive) in Ben Tre province. Take a boat ride to a local factory to see how activated charcoals are made from coconut hard-shells. Crossing Mekong River, we arrive at Tam Hiêp Island. Walk in the small village paths through huge orchards of longan; visit a local family while enjoying fresh fruits and honey-tea. Next, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful ambiance. Take a bike ride to a special creepers (called LÁ SÂM) farm. Here you will see how to pick leaves to make and taste this special herbal jelly.  Continue on a  boat ride to Út Trinh Homestay for lunch. After lunch, relax on the hammocks before returning to the boat and ride back to the ferry station, where you will be picked up and transferred back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. (B.L)

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Bangkok, Thailand

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Arrive in exotic and bustling Bangkok; meeting and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure for shopping or exploring this vibrant city on your own. (B)

Day 9: Bangkok

Morning depart for a visit to the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a giant lying Buddha covered in gold leaf. Continue to the must-see Grand Palace with its elaborate Thai-style architecture, symbol and ceremonial heart of the kingdom. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which houses Thailand’s most precious image of the Lord Buddha. Afternoon aboard an exciting boat ride on the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings) along Bangkok’s klongs (canals) for a glimpse of traditional riverside life. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 10: Bangkok

Depart early morning for the drive to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. En route, visit the Maeklong Railway Market. The name says it all! It’s a market which has a train running right through the middle of it, multiple times a day. Drive on to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Board a traditional “longtail” boat and cruise a network of small canals busy with the activities of vendors selling their exotic wares. Return to your hotel in Bangkok.  (B)

Day 11: Bangkok – Chiang Mai

Transfer to the airport for flight to Chiang Mai, the country’s second largest city, often called the “Rose of the North”. Arrive Chiang Mai and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour to the picturesque Meo Hill Tribe Village and the sacred temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Return to your hotel in Chiang Mai. (B)

Day 12: Chiang Mai

Today a unique experience where you’ll learn about Asian elephants. Welcome to Chang Chill elephant sanctuary where the four resident elephants not only graze, bathe, and socialize in the hills of Chiang Mai, but also represent what we hope will be the future of elephant tourism. Here, visitors learn about the history of these elephants, observe them in their natural habitat, and meet the mahouts who are devoted to their well-being. Return to your hotel.  (B)

Day 13: Chiang Mai – Phuket

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Arrive at the tropical island resort of Phuket with its powder-white beaches; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel. (B)

Note: Phuket can be replaced by other beach destinations such as Koh Samui or Krabi; please inquire.

Day 14: Phuket

A divine day to totally  relax and enjoy the white sand beach; or take an optional excursion to Phi Phi Islands to discover the magical landscape and beautiful beaches; please inquire. (B)

Day 15: Phuket

Today is free at leisure to keep enjoying this paradise. (B)

Day 16: Phuket – Bangkok – En Route

Transfer to Phuket Airport for your flight back to Bangkok Airport, connecting your international flight (International flight not included). (B)

CAMBODIA EXTENSION by Private Car

4 Days / 3 Nights

Tip: Depending on the routing of your international flight, we suggest to add this extension after Vietnam and before Thailand.

Day 1:  Arrive Siem Reap, Cambodia

Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia! Arrival in Siem Reap and transfer by private car to the hotel. Cambodia is much more than temples. Its history is both inspiring and sobering, uplifting and heartbreaking. Start your walking tour today to the Angkor National Museum to discover more about Khmer history and culture. Wandering through the streets to Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine, once a royal palace during the reign of King Sisowath. Continue your journey to Wat Preah Prom Rath, an ancient pagoda. Free time to explore the new and old markets located on either side of the river before returning to the hotel.  

NOTE: Arrival flight to Siem Reap NOT included and must be added

Day 2: Siem Reap: Angkor

After breakfast this morning, depart to visit Angkor, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site and a “Wonder of the Ancient World”. Explore the Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive temples constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries and the largest Hindu structure in the world. Continue the visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This beautiful temple is one of Angkor’s most impressive structures and is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting and exotic atmosphere. The fortified city of Angkor Thom includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas-reliefs. Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunset over the magnificent Angkor. Transfer back to the hotel. (B)

Day 3: Siem Reap: Angkor

This morning, continue your tour to the Angkor for many other magnificent temples, including the Banteay Srei Temple, Bagon Temple, Preah Khan, Ta Keo and Banteay Kdei Temple. Later, aboard a boat excursion on the Tonle Sap Lake visiting the Kampong Phluk Floating Village, where close to 1,000 families live and make their living fishing on the Tonle Sap. Return to the hotel and reminder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Depart Siem Reap

Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your departure flight.  (B)

NOTE: Departure flight from Siem Reap NOT included and must be added 

 (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

These are sample itineraries which can be further customized to suit your preference. Prices will be quoted upon request according to the date of travel and the number of passengers in your vehicle.